Another reason to get vaccinated: Biden warns of ‘potentially deadlier’ delta variant 

Biden on Friday pleaded with Americans who have not yet gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so as soon as possible, citing the danger posed by the new delta variant.

“Even while we’re making incredible progress, it remains a serious and deadly threat,” Biden said in remarks from the White House, saying that the new variant leaves unvaccinated people “even more vulnerable than they were a month ago.”

“It’s a variant that is more easily transmissible, potentially deadlier and particularly dangerous for young people, but the good news is we have the solution,” Biden continued, adding that the “science and the data are clear” that vaccines are the most effective form of protection against the variant.

Background: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said earlier Friday that the delta variant would likely become the dominant strain in the U.S. over the next two or three months. The variant is the most contagious yet and more likely to cause severe illness in those who have not been vaccinated.

The delta variant has become the dominant strain in the U.K., overtaking the alpha strain earlier this month.

Earlier this week, WHO said the delta strain has spread to at least 80 countries.